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First carpenter bee sighting of the year
Here is my first carpenter bee sighting of the year on our patio. It is a male Mountain Carpenter Bee Xylocopa tabaniformis orpifex,...
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It was a Painted Lady
In my last post I wrote that the Black Phoebe ate a Checkerspot butterfly. But after observing butterfly activity in the native garden...
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Black Phoebe eats a Checkerspot Butterfly
Today during my lunch break I looked out the window at our front yard which is starting to look quite lush. It was quite a gray day with...
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Anna's Hummingbird in the Sunset
Observing birds in the garden, at sunset, is always a magical experience for me. They glow in the light of the setting sun. Here is an...
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Cedar Waxwings on the utility cables
Early in the morning when I was checking out the front garden, I noticed a huge flock of cedar waxwings descending on a neighbor's Toyon...
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Honey Bee and Borage Blossoms
What a great weekend to observe bees, birds and butterflies! The weather was lovely with warmer temperatures and sunshine. We love the...
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First daffodils of the season
Daffodils are always a cheerful sight. We've been living in our current residence for a little over two years. The previous tenants...
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Black tailed Bumble Bee on the Ceanothus
I originally identified this bumble bee as a hover fly because there is a hover fly that resembles it. After researching further, I've...
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Pandora poppies blooming
The Pandora poppies Papaver rhoeas'Pandora' are slowly starting to bloom and adding lovely shades of red to the patio. They are growing...
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Oak Titmouse singing in the rain
There is at least one oak titmouse that I often notice in shrubs and trees around the garden. I first noticed them because of their...